Annunciation

Annunciation

INTRODUCTION

Through Mary, the Mother of God,” the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us”. Her YES to God began new era, new way of life –life in Christ, Son of God, who became a Man. In Him we have redemption, in her we have help and support in our journey through life. One of the ways through life is the way which thousands Daughters of Charity throughout the world have chosen. Along with the FIAT of Mary, Mother of God, we, Daughters of Charity, too, say YES to God each year on the day of Annunciation. Out of love of Christ we make our vows to Him. We are making ourselves free to be sent by God to those who are in need and to help them in their material and spiritual needs. This is our joy and happiness!

Let these few thoughts on the Annunciation help us to pray for each other and the whole world.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth ,to a Virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the Virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour! The Lord is with you.’ (Lk 1, 26-28)

Mary, be greeted, full of grace!

New Eve, whose Son won the serpent!

Virgin, Daughter of Zion,

The Glory of Jerusalem,

Israel’s Joys,

The Ark of the Covenant,

Shrine of the Most High,

Mother of the Son of David,

Mother of the King of Israel,

Virgin, the Mother of Emmanuel,

In which the Word became the body,

Blessed among women,

A humble Servant of God,

In which the Almighty did miracles.

Mother of the Lord – be greeted.

Mother of God, Immaculate Mary!

She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. (Lk 1, 29-35)

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

you have given the world its true light,

Jesus, your Son – the Son of God.

You abandoned yourself completely

to God’s call and thus became a wellspring

of the goodness which flows forth from him.

Show us Jesus. Lead us to him.

Teach us to know and love him,

so that we too can become

capable of true love

and be fountains of living water

in the midst of a thirsting world.

(Benedict XVI , Deus Caritas est 42)

And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ Mary said, ‘You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her. (Lk 1, 36-38)

In renewing our Yes, we entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, only Mother of the Company and star of the new evangelization who illumines the desert of this world. May she guide us on our way and help us to cross through it by directing our hearts toward “what is essential: the gift of the Spirit, the company of Jesus, the truth of his word, the Eucharistic bread which nourishes us, the fellowship of ecclesial communion, the impetus of charity.”

(Letter Sr Evelyne Franc, 2 February 2014)

To you, our Mother, who desires the spiritual and apostolic renewal of your sons and daughters in a response of love and complete dedication to Christ, we address our confident prayer. You who did the will of the Father, ever ready in obedience, courageous in poverty and receptive in fruitful virginity, obtain from your divine Son

that all who have received the gift of following him in the consecrated life may be enabled to bear witness to that gift by their transfigured lives, as they joyfully make their way with all their brothers and sisters towards our heavenly homeland and the light which will never grow dim.

We ask you this, that in everyone and in everything, glory, adoration and love may be given to the Most High Lord of all things, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.